How Long Does It Take To Install Tree Braids? – 2024

Generally, it can take 2.5–3 hours, usually 4-6 hours. Prior planning and preparation can ensure a smoother and more efficient braiding process.

Installation Time of Tree Braids?

The time it takes to install tree braids can vary depending on several factors, including the stylist’s skill, the length and thickness of your natural hair, and the desired length and size of the braids. On average, tree braids can take 4 to 6 hours to complete.

Common mistakes that can prolong the installation process:

1. Not Preparing Hair in Advance: Arriving with unprepared, tangled, or dirty hair can significantly extend the installation time.
2. Changing Your Mind Mid-Process: Frequent changes in the chosen style or length can add time and complexity to the process.
3. Being impatient: Constantly moving or fidgeting during braiding can slow down the stylist.

Pros and Cons of Choosing Tree Braids

Pros of Choosing Tree Braids:

1. Natural Appearance: Tree braids blend seamlessly with your natural hair, creating a natural and realistic look.
2. Versatility: You can choose from various braid sizes and lengths and even experiment with textures and colors, allowing for a wide range of styling options.
3. Protective Style: Tree braids can be a protective style for your natural hair, reducing the risk of damage and promoting hair growth.
4. Low Maintenance: They require minimal daily maintenance, making them convenient for individuals with busy lifestyles.
5. Styling Options: Tree braids can be styled in numerous ways, including updos, ponytails, and twists, providing flexibility in your appearance.
6. Customization: You can customize tree braids to match your preferences and style, ensuring a unique look.
7. Blending: Tree braids create a smooth transition from your natural hair to the extensions, making them appear virtually undetectable.

Cons of Choosing Tree Braids:

1. Installation Time: Depending on factors like hair length and complexity, the installation process can be time-consuming, taking several hours.
2. Weight: The weight of the braids, especially if they’re long and thick, can cause discomfort for some individuals.
3. Maintenance: While they are low-maintenance overall, occasional touch-ups may be required to maintain the look as your natural hair grows.
4. Cost: The cost of getting tree braids can vary, but it’s often higher than other braiding styles due to the required time and expertise.
5. Initial Tenderness: After installation, some individuals may experience tenderness or discomfort on the scalp, which typically subsides after a few days.
6. Potential for Damage: Improper installation or excessive tension on the scalp can lead to hair breakage or scalp issues.
7. Limited DIY: Achieving a polished look with tree braids can be challenging for DIY enthusiasts, making professional installation a better option for many.

How Much Time Is Typically Required For The Installation Of Tree Braids?

Installing tree braids entails several steps and can take 2.5 to 6 hours. The exact time frame will largely depend on the length and thickness of your hair and the size of the braids you desire.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to provide further insight:

Preparing

Before embarking on the installation process, showing your hair some tender, loving care is paramount! Ensure that you meticulously cleanse, moisturize, and untangle those luxurious tresses.

The duration of this preparatory phase may vary depending on the length and thickness of your hair, typically from 30 minutes to an hour.

To achieve flawless and enduring tree braids, it is imperative to provide your hair with the meticulous preparation it deserves.

Installation Process.

The process of installing tree braids can be broken down into several steps:

Step 1: Sectioning

Begin by dividing your natural hair into sections. The size of these divisions will determine the thickness of your braids. Smaller units result in thinner braids and a higher overall quantity, while larger areas lead to fewer, thicker braids.

Step 2: Braiding

Start the tree braid by performing a typical three-strand braid with your natural hair. After a few passes, integrate the hair extension into two of the three strands and continue braiding. Ensure that the extension is woven in seamlessly to maintain a natural appearance.

Cornrow Your Hair

Once you have finished braiding your first tree braid, you should cornrow your hair. Cornrowing is a technique to attach the individual tree braids to the scalp.

This technique ensures that each braid lies flush against the head and remains intact for weeks.

Transitioning.

Once the extension has been fully integrated and the braid has reached your desired length, transition into a two-strand twist for the remainder. This will allow your braids to end in a lovely spiraled curl.

Securing.

Secure the end of the braid with a small knot or bead to prevent unraveling. Make sure not to tie it too tight, which can lead to breakage.

Repeating.

Repeat the process on all the sections of your hair until your whole head is covered in tree braids. This can be a time-consuming task that requires patience and attention to detail.

Trim and Style.

Once your tree braids are fully installed, you can trim any excess ends and style them as desired.

This could include layering in hair accessories, such as beads or feathers. You can also use styling products to give your tree braids a unique look.

On average, it takes six to eight hours to install tree braids, depending on the length and texture of your hair.

However, with practice, you can learn to install them even faster. Tree braids are a great way to protect your natural hair while adding a unique flair to your look!

Total Time.

The total time to install tree braids can vary significantly, depending on the thickness and length of your natural hair, the size and number of braids you desire, and your or your stylist’s proficiency with the braiding technique.

It may take 4 to 10 hours for someone new to the process. However, a professional braider can complete the process in about 4 to 6 hours.

It’s also worth noting that skinny and numerous braids will naturally take longer to install than thicker, fewer braids.

While the process is time-consuming, the resilience and versatility of tree braids make it worth the effort, as they can last several weeks with proper care.

Guidelines For A Faster Tree Braid Installation.

If you want to reduce the time needed to install tree braids, you can follow a few key strategies.

Preparation

The installation process can be significantly sped up by ensuring your natural hair is thoroughly detangled, washed, and conditioned before braiding.

This will make it easier to part and braid your hair, saving you significant time in the long run.

Sectioning

Dividing your hair into sections before braiding can also speed up the installation time.

Smaller units will take longer to braid but are easier to manage, resulting in a neater finish. Larger sections will take less time but might need to look more awesome.

Practice

The more you practice, the faster you can install tree braids. Exercise will improve your speed and the quality of your braids.

Professional Assistance

For a faster installation, consider getting professional help. Professional stylists are well-versed in braiding hairstyles with techniques and can complete the process more swiftly and efficiently.

Tools

Use the right tools for braiding. A rat-tail comb is ideal for creating clean parts, while a wide-tooth comb is excellent for detangling.

Braid Size.

Opting for larger braids can also significantly reduce installation time. However, larger braids may not last as long as smaller, more secure ones.

How Long Does It Take to Get Braids Put In?

Braiding hair can be time-consuming, but the duration varies depending on several factors.

Braid Type.

The type of braid you choose can significantly impact the duration of the installation process. For instance, traditional three-strand braids are relatively quick and straightforward.

Typically, it takes 2 to 6 hours, depending on the size and length of the hair. However, more intricate styles like tree braids can take significantly longer.

Tree braids are a more advanced technique that involves creating a cornrow braid while leaving out sections of hair to achieve a free-flowing effect.

Due to the precision and care required to avoid tangling the loose hair strands, installing tree braids can take 4 to 8 hours or even longer.

The time may vary significantly based on the braider’s skill level, the size and length of the braids desired, and the thickness and texture of the natural hair.

Hair Length and Thickness.

The length and thickness of your hair can significantly influence the duration of the tree braiding process.

Typically, longer and thicker hair requires more time as there is more hair to work with and, consequently, more braids to create.

For instance, if you have waist-length and thick hair, you might expect the process to extend towards the higher end of the time range, possibly taking 8 hours or more.

On the other hand, if you have shorter or thinner hair, the process may be quicker.

For example, shoulder-length or lighter hair could significantly reduce the installation time.

However, remember that shorter hair may limit the styles achieved with tree braids.

It’s important to note that, whatever your hair type, patience is critical when installing tree braids.

Rushing the process could lead to a less-than-perfect outcome and potential damage to your natural hair.

Therefore, setting aside enough time to ensure your tree braids are installed correctly and meticulously is highly recommended.

Proficiency.

The proficiency of the braider is another crucial factor determining the time it takes to install tree braids.

An experienced braider who has mastered the technique can install tree braids much faster than someone less experienced. They work more quickly and efficiently, ensuring each braid is neatly and evenly spaced.

Newbies or less-experienced braiders may take longer because they must be careful to avoid tangling the free-flowing hair strands.

They also spend more time ensuring the braids are secure and will not unravel quickly. This could extend the installation time to the higher end of the time range or beyond.

Therefore, if you want to have your tree braids installed in the shortest time possible, you should seek services from a highly proficient and experienced braider.

Be aware, though, that a high level of expertise often comes at a higher cost. However, the investment is usually worth it, considering the quality of the result and the longevity of your braids.

Preparation Time.

The preparation time is another pivotal factor in determining the overall duration of installing tree braids.

Before the braiding process begins, the hair must be thoroughly washed, conditioned, and detangled.

This step is crucial to maintaining the hair’s health and ensuring the braiding process goes smoothly.

Depending on the condition and length of the hair, this process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Additionally, the hair used for braiding also needs to be prepared. Depending on your chosen style, the braided hair may need to be pre-looped or pre-feathered, adding another 30 minutes to an hour to the preparation time.

Lastly, the time spent parting and sectioning the hair also contributes to the preparation time.

Precise parting is essential for a neat and professional look. This can be a time-intensive process, especially for complex braiding styles or if the hair is particularly thick or long.

This could add another hour or more to the preparation time. Preparation time before installing tree braids can range from 1.5 to 3 hours.

Remember, patience during these stages is just as crucial as during the braiding process itself because proper preparation can significantly impact the final result and longevity of the style.

How Long Do Braid Extensions Take?

The process involves adding synthetic or human hair extensions to natural hairstyles using various braiding techniques.

• Standard box braids usually take 4 to 6 hours to install; micro braids, which are significantly smaller, can take up to 9 hours or more.
• Tree braids, another popular style, typically take around 4 to 7 hours to install.

How Many Packs Of Hair Do I Need For Tree Braids?

For an average-sized head, if you opt for a complete and voluminous look with medium-sized tree braids, 6 to 8 packs of synthetic hair extensions should suffice.

However, if you wish to have smaller, more delicate braids, you may need up to 10 loads of hair to achieve the desired density.

For those seeking longer tree braids, additional packs may be necessary to maintain the thickness and fullness at the ends of the braids.

Similarly, you may also need other boxes if you have a giant head.

Factors Influencing Installation Time:

1. Hair Length and Thickness: Longer and thicker hair requires more time to part, braid, and attach extensions.
2. Skill and Experience of the Stylist: An experienced stylist is likely to work more efficiently, reducing the overall duration of the process.
3. Size and Intricacy of Desired Braids: Smaller, more intricate braids or complex patterns can extend the installation time.
4. Additional Styling Requests: Incorporating extra elements such as curls, twists, or accessories can increase the time needed for installation.
5. Extensions Length and Quantity: Using longer or more hair extensions can lengthen the installation process.
6. Preparation and Detangling: If your hair is not properly prepared and detangled before the appointment, it can add extra time to the process.
7. Consultation and Decision-Making: The time spent discussing your desired style, length, and any additional requests during the consultation phase can influence the overall duration.
8. Comfort Breaks: Longer sessions may include short breaks for the client’s comfort, especially for extended installations.
9. Experience of the Client: If the client is experienced and accustomed to sitting for long durations during braiding sessions, it may impact overall time.
10. Stylist’s Efficiency: The stylist’s overall efficiency, speed, and familiarity with tree braid techniques can significantly affect the installation time.

Tips for minimizing the installation time:

1. Come Prepared: Ensure your hair is clean, detangled, and free from knots or mats before your appointment.
2. Communicate Clearly: Discuss your desired style with your stylist to ensure you both clearly understand the look you want.
3. Choose Braid Size Wisely: Opt for a braid size that aligns with the time you’re willing to invest in the installation.
4. Be Patient: Understand that intricate styles take time, and rushing may compromise the final result.

Conclusion

While a first-time individual might take around 4-6 hours to install tree braids, a seasoned professional can often complete the process in as little as 2-3 hours.

Remember, the emphasis should always be on quality over speed, ensuring the longevity and neatness of your braids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anuli

Anuli is a Hair Styles Expert & the founder of wiselybraids.com, a website dedicated to providing the latest tips, trends, and Articles for hairstyling with Braids. With years of experience in the industry, Anuli has become a go-to source for hair care advice and inspiration.